Thread: Osmo Polyx finish a bit streaky/cloudy?

Nice work on the table mate. Getting a black/dark finish done well is tricky as all the light shows up even tiny imperfections. You're right, rolling Osmo I think is the way to go. I can give you a run down of how I normally apply it, it takes a little practice but you end up with a durable even coat.

Alternatively if you keep applying very light coats like you have been it *may* possibly even out. I think it's just because of the application method that some spots have more finish than others at a guess.

Osmo Extra Thin goes on no problem with a rag or scotchbrite pad. Same goes for 'regular' PolyX over a small surface. But broad flat surfaces definitely need a roller. I had the exact same issue as you for some desk tops.


Short nap microfibre roller is the solution, these are the ones I use - Unipro 4mm microfibre roller, easily available from Bunnings or most paint shops. You do need to keep even pressure on the roller and keep the roller quite 'dry' so you only get a super thin layer on the work surface. Only takes a few minutes to get the hang of though and the application is so fast. My workshop is my garage, so it's not dust free, I did a light hand sand of 400 grit to remove nibs then vacuumed and wiped any dust off between layers. Once the final coat was dry, wax applied with 0000 steel wool did the final denibbing.


If you're not happy with the current surface, I'd sand it with 180 or 240 grit then reapply, for my desktops I didn't sand back to bare wood, just to even out some of the patchier looking areas.

The other thing is, how long has the finish been curing? I find that Osmo has this stage a few days after application where the grain appears muddied and cloudy and it's really disappointing. Give it a week though and it clears right up as the product finishes curing.

Thanks for the replies.
In the end I applied a very thin layer using 0000 steel wool as suggested. Then finished off with a thin layer of liquid beeswax rubbed in well.
It seems to have sorted it!

Seems like roller is the way to go. I think the mistake I made was using a high density foam roller.

I appreciate the help and suggestions

Good to hear it came out right, that's a bold table. I've been really pleased with Osmo on my blackwood desktops and it should be great on your oak as well. I had a mishap with a few drops of iron gall ink and it wiped right off without even a little stain.

Thanks for aharing your finish, looks pretty good.
what India Ink did you use , water or spirit based, and what black stain did you use over it , and was it water or spirit based?
I have been having mo end of trouble getting a good deep black finish

Originally Posted by Dengue

Thanks for aharing your finish, looks pretty good.
what India Ink did you use , water or spirit based, and what black stain did you use over it , and was it water or spirit based?
I have been having mo end of trouble getting a good deep black finish

Thanks Dengy
I used Speedball India Ink followed by Porters Black Stain